Smoke in the Factory

Smoke in the Factory

The head engineer threw the Mech a tablet of observation sheets. "Wheeljack; run those engines at six thousand RPMs for ten minutes straight. We need to see how much heat builds up." Turning on his heel, the man strode out to the next set of experimenters.

Seemed like an easy enough assignment, a little boring, but the Mech knew he'd have to work his way up the corporate ladder just like everyone else. Then he'd show them some really cool stuff! So he set up the four identical experimental 4-cylinder engines and put the high-grade gas in them.

Tapping a few things on the computer consol, he initiated the test sequence. As the engines revved to the high RPMs required, he walked around, keeping track of the heat build-up. "Hmm, 225 – that's good…. 235.5 – good… 233.4 – good… 238 – good.." he mumbled as he walked from engine to engine.

The test was over, results were good. The engineer came by to pick them up. "This time, we need to simulate a more realistic sequence. Go 6 for five, drop to 4 for two, up to 6.5 for 3."

"I'm all outt've fuel for the engines," Wheeljack reported.

The man looked up at him, and then nodded down the hall. "They just filled the underground tanks, so just phone a request and a service man will bring you what you need."

"Thanks," the Mech said to the Engineer as he walked away.

Putting a call in for the gas, Wheeljack drummed his fingers in boredom as he waited. Well, at least I'm paid to be bored! He thought.

The service man came in and filled up the testing lab's tanks. Nodding at the Mech, the younger man walked out.

Fueling the engines for the last test of the day, Wheeljack initiated the computer sequence for the test. The engines started and began their steady hum. As Wheeljack walked and checked temp readings, his audios picked up some sputtering in Engine #2. Walking over, he was leaning over it trying to figure out what was going on – when a headgasket blew. Smoke filled the room quickly as the Mech pushed the emergency shutoff for that engine.

Just as he had that engine shut down, an ominous change in the hum of Engine #4 caught his attention. Darting over to it, he was trying to figure out what was happening. Suddenly, the engine started vibrating terribly. Then a loud pop, then it rocked with a loud knocking sound. Before he could shut it down – it threw its rod, straight through the end of the block!

The rod catapulted towards him, the Mech barely able to duck in time! Then it hit the far wall, and sank 4 inches into the cinder block. Standing back up, Wheeljack stared at the still vibrating rod in total shock!

Standing there with his mouth open in amazement, Wheeljack's optics widened in fear as he heard Engine #1 begin to change hums. Dashing to the engine, he punched in the emergency stop sequence. But even as he did it, the rubber seals dissolved, and fuel spewed all over the engine. The heat from the engine immediately caused the fuel to ignite.

Wheeljack backed up in shock! Fortunately, the lab's automatic fire suppressant system activated. It proceeded to coat the entire lab and the Mech in the fire suppressant foam.

Later.. Back at the Ark

"Hey, thanks Sunstreaker, I really owe you one;" Wheeljack said.

The yellow Mech was busy scrubbing all of the foam off him, and grumbling about what they'd need to get the black soot off of him – without damaging his finish.

Perceptor walked in, looking curiously at the inventor. "So what happened to cause the fire?"

Shrugging, Wheeljack looked up at the thin red Mech. "They think the last fuel truck put an ethanol-blend instead of the standard pure gasoline into the main underground tank. They're testing it now."

"Well, that would indeed explain some of the breakdowns you observed. If those engines were only engineered for pure gasoline and they ran ethanol in them, then the added heat from the alcohol burning coupled with the corrosive effects of the alcohol on the rubber seals.."

"Ok, Ok – we know!" Sunstreaker abruptly cut the scientist off. It was bad enough he was having to get this black soot off Wheeljack; he really didn't want to have to listen to Perceptor's rather long and boring explanation of why it happened!

Wheeljack looked from Mech to Mech. "Yep, basically ethanol-blends suck in a gasoline-only engine."

"Yes, that would be an accurate description;" Perceptor nodded and left.

"So you blew up another lab, did ya!?" Ratchet's rather disgust-filled voice filled the room.

Wheeljack groaned as Sunstreaker snickered. This it'd be a good one! The yellow Mech thought gleefully.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault this time!" Wheeljack tried to explain.

"I've heard THAT one before!" Ratchet grumbled, not believing the inventor in the least.

Sunstreaker ducked the flying wretch, but Wheeljack wasn't so lucky. It smacked him right between his optics. The yellow Mech ran out of the room as Ratchet went into his standard tirade about stupidity and accidents. Poor Wheeljack having no protection against the flying tools of his bond mate.

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Note: The one involving Brawn is now complete and in the 'tweeking' stage. Blaster's is still stuck in my head and I've got an idea for Cliffjumper.. sigh.. flipping coins to decide on which one to concentrate on next!

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